Paul Kagame wins Rwanda election by landslide

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has won a third term in office with a landslide, the country's electoral commission has announced.

Partial results of Friday's election gave him 98% of the votes, it said.

Mr Kagame's supporters, who say that he has brought stability and economic development after the horrors of the 1994 genocide, began celebrating before the announcement.

Critics - most of whom are outside the country - say he rules through fear.

After his victory, Mr Kagame vowed to keep up the country's economic growth.

"This is another seven years to take care of issues that affect Rwandans and ensure that we become real Rwandans who are [economically] developing," Mr Kagame said in a speech broadcast on live television.

Mr Kagame, who has been in power for 17 years, was challenged by Frank Habineza, from the Democratic Green Party, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent.

Another independent challenger, businesswoman and rights activist Diane Shima Rwigara, was disqualified by the electoral commission.

The remaining eight opposition parties did not put forward a candidate and instead backed President Kagame.